Historical News

Macon Telegraph
Monday, Morning, May 12, 1828
Brought to Knoxville Jail, Crawford County, on the 21st Instant, a negro fellow, about 40 years of age, by the name of Sandy. Says he belongs to John Fitch, who lives near St. Stephens, Alabama. The owner is requested to come and comply with the law in such cases.
April 28            17                      L. Lawshe, Sheriff

Apr, 27 1852

Notice to Builders
Sealed proposals for building a brick Courthouse, in the town of Knoxville, Crawford County, Georgia, will be received until the third Monday in May next. The form of bids and guarantee, and specifications of building, may be seen at D. N. Martin's Law Office, Griffin, Ga., Columbus Enquirer Office, Columbus, Ga., Cook & Montfort's Law Office, Oglethorpe, Ga., and J. M. Boardman's Book-store Macon, Ga. Each bid must be accompanied by a copy of the specifications, and a guarantee, signed by at least two responsible guarantors, all sealed up in the same envelope.
        G. P. Culverhouse, J. I. C.,
        Thos. Critchfield, J. I. C.,
        C. M. Lucas, J. I. C.,
        Jonathan Ross, J. I. C.,
source: Georgia Telegraph Apr. 27, 1852 page 3

The Georgia Telegraph
Tuesday Morning, June 29 1858
Jail Burnt and Prisoner Suffocated  We Learn from a letter to the Columbus Times, that on the night of the 23d instant, the jail of Crawford county was discovered to be on fire, and before relief could be given, the only occupant, a negro was suffocated. It is supposed that the prisoner fired the building in hopes of escaping in the noise and confusion. He had but recently been arrested and several passes were on his person, one which authorises the conductor on the Central Rail Road to pass him to Savannah: another is dated June 22 1858, and signed, "J. C. Wilburn." (From the Journal & Messenger of last Wednesday.)

Macon Telegraph and Messenger, Sep. 30, 1879
In Bibb county Jail.  Yesterday Joe Hall and Green Thurmond, two colored criminals from Crawford county, were placed in the Bibb
county Jail for safe keeping, the Crawford jail having been torn down preparatory to the erection of a new and commodious structure. Both men have been convicted for the murder of Mr. Morohisons, of Crawford county, which occurred in August of last year.

A DESPERADO CAPTURED
Dick Castleberry at Last Falls Into the Law's Hands.
Green Castleberry a negro desperad, who has been at large for the past two years in the Warrior district, was captured Monday In Crawford county by a sheriff's posse and put In jail. thus ridding the community of a dangerous citizen. The man had been hunted down by officers several times, but each time he would manage to escape by some loophole until he became convinced that no white man could arrest him. It was his frequent boast that he had killed while men and feared no one, and more than once had appeared in large meetings without being molested. Finally last Monday, a posse from Crawford concluded to ring the man to justice.  Securing the assistance of those who were acquainted with his habits, they dogged his footsteps and captured him while asleep. By his side lay a double-barrel shotgun, a revolver and a dirk. As he slept his arm lay across the gun, and it was only by quick work that the officers succeeded in snatching them away before he awoke. Turning his eyes to the place where his weapons had been Castleberry found that he had been outwitted. This did not cause him, however to submit quietly to arrest. With the fury of a madman he fought and scratched his captors until they overpowered him. He was handcuffed and carried to Knoxville, where he was jailed to answer a number of warrants which have been sworn out against him. In Crawford he was indicted for gambling and carrying concealed weapons, At Byron several years ago he shot a negro and then nearly beat him to death. Here he is charged with an assault with intent to murder.
Bibb county has a double claim, Castleberry having been indicted for gambling and carrying concealed weapons. It is claimed that there is a reward for the man from some point in Alabama, where he shot and killed a man. He is being carefully guarded by Sheriff Harley in
Crawford's public hotel. The capture is considered among the officers who know Castleberry as being fine work. He has outwitted many of them, and is considered a dangerous character.
Source: The Weekly Telegraph, Wednesday, September 18, 1889